Formartine United 2 - 5 Aberdeen

Aberdeen's Under 20s made history tonight as they travelled to Pitmedden to meet Highland League high flyers Formartine in the first round of the revamped Challenge Cup and Paul Sheerin's youngsters put in a superb performance with Scott Wright grabbing a hat-trick.

David Craddock was in goal as new boy Kesi Omolokun, signed yesterday from Bradford City, slotted into central defence alongside Sam Roscoe with skipper Jamie Henry and Daniel Harvie occupying the full back berths. Ahead of them in midfield were wide men Scott Wright and Aaron Norris along with Dylan Thomas and Frank Ross supporting front men Connor McLennan and Joe Nuttall. Formartine boss Kris Hunter made four changes from the side who started United's Highland League campaign with a 4-1 success at Keith. MacDonald replaced Reid in goal, while Dingwall, Anderson and Gethins took the places of Derek Young, Gauld and Wood. Three of the home starting eleven - Stuart Smith, Jonny Crawford and Scott Ferries had previously been on Aberdeen's books.

The match started at a good tempo but neither side dominated the early play. Aberdeen's best opening came when Dylan Thomas sent McLennan away down the left in the 13th minute but was unable to reach his cross. Formartine showed some speed on the break when the Dons gave the ball away and Craddock had to look lively to turn away Barbour's powerful left footed shot after the winger latched on to a fine pass from Gethins. From the resulting corner, Smith headed over under pressure from Roscoe. In 27 minutes the Dons broke the deadlock. Dylan Thomas did superbly well to rob Rodger in midfield before sending Scott Wright clear and the boy from Balmedie showed great composure to slot the ball past MacDonald to find the net, much to the delight of watching manager Derek McInnes.
Both teams were battling hard but Aberdeen just shaded the first period and deserved the lead given to them by Scott Wright's goal.

Only four minutes of the second half had elapsed when the Dons doubled their advantage and what a goal it was. There seemed no danger when Aaron Norris picked the ball up from a throw in nearly 30 yards out but the midfielder struck a beautiful curling shot into the keeper's top left hand corner with MacDonald rooted to the spot. It was soon three - McLennan fed the ball to Norris and he played it into the path of Scott Wright who fired a crisp shot past Macdonald from 12 yards.
On 57 minutes, Kris Hunter decided to freshen his attack up introducing Gauld for the ineffective Gethins. Shortly afterwards Kesi Omolokun who had taken a knock was replaced by Toby Wells while Formartine put former Don Neil McVitie on for Michie. The visitors moved on to easy street with a quickfire double strike. First to hit the net was Scott Wright who completed a classy hat-trick after being set up by McLennan, quickly followed by Joe Nuttall turning in a close range shot after fine work by Aaron Norris. Between the goals Wright was withdrawn from the action to be replaced by Bruce Anderson.
Skipper Paul Lawson came off to be replaced by Berton for the home side while Paul Sheerin's final change saw Dangana come on for Nuttall. David Craddock saved well from Ferries but had no chance when Gauld sharply volleyed home from Berton's cross in 80 minutes. Three minutes later a clearance ricocheted off Rodger and spun into the net to make it 5-2. Connor McLennan nearly made it six for Aberdeen four minutes from time when his powerful shot squirmed through the keeper's hands only to rebound to safety off the far post. Harvie and Norris both came close in the dying seconds but the scoring was over for the night and Aberdeen were through deservedly after a determined, professional performance against a team who will have high hopes of Highland league success this season.